Latest Joe Flacco Rumors Ahead of NFL Free Agency as Veteran QB Eyes Starting Job

Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco is not only aiming to play a 19th season in the NFL but also "wants an opportunity to at least compete for a starting job," according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

Pelissero reported the Cincinnati Bengals would be the favorites to sign Flacco if he senses his market is limited to backup gigs.

The market is in such a dire state that the 41-year-old might have enough leverage to at least get the opportunity to compete for a starting job in training camp.

The 2026 draft class falls pretty precipitously after Indiana star Fernando Mendoza. The Indianapolis Colts applied the transition tag to Daniel Jones, so the free-agent group is headlined by Malik Willis, Kyler Murray, Aaron Rodgers and perhaps Tua Tagovailoa.

A lot of the teams most in need of a QB will have to settle for a one-year stopgap or a situation where they give themselves the flexibility reevaluate the position next spring.

From that standpoint, signing Flacco makes sense. He can be a relatively steady hand at the wheel for 2026, or at least until the head coach is comfortable with elevating a younger replacement.

Flacco's run with the Bengals also exemplified why he keeps hanging around. In six starts, he threw for 1,636 yards, 13 touchdowns and four interception. Cincy only one of those games, but that was largely due to a porous defense rather than the QB play.

▶️ Full Steelers-Bengals Recap

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This is probably the best way to evaluate the idea of bringing the Super Bowl XLVII MVP aboard. Are there better candidates to sign? Yes. Can a team sign a worse quarterback? Also yes.